Prenatal care is important for both your health and your baby’s. And every pregnancy is different. You should schedule an appointment with a doctor who specializes in pregnancy care as soon as you find out that you’re pregnant. Or start seeing them as soon as you have coverage with us. Your doctor will let you know how often you should make appointments during your pregnancy. We can help you find a doctor, schedule your visits and get transportation to the doctor if you need it. We can also help walk you through what to expect.



Check out these pregnancy resources below.

• What to expect during pregnancy
• Vaccines during pregnancy
• Medications during pregnancy
• Prenatal care visits
• Pregnancy FAQs

And remember that your care team can answer a lot of your questions as part of our maternity program.

Learn more about our prenatal resources and benefits here.

Pregnancy is an important time. But you and your baby will also need lots of care after delivery. You can depend on us for information about taking care of you.

Many parents search for details on:

• Postpartum checkups and depression (baby blues)
• Baby spacing and birth control
• Staying healthy after pregnancy
• New mom recovery
• Recuperación para nuevas mamás

Learn more about our postpartum resources and benefits here.

Care for your baby

Your baby needs to see their doctor many times in their first year. We can help you find a pediatrician and set up those appointments for you. From safe sleep advice to soothing their tears, our baby guide is here to help.

• Breastfeeding
• Well-baby checkups and immunizations
• Safe sleep

Care for you

Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your baby. Your body goes through a lot of stress and changes during pregnancy. It takes some time for you to fully recover. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends you talk with your OB-GYN within three weeks of giving birth. You should have a full postpartum checkup within 12 weeks. And based on your health, your doctor may want to see you more often.

It’s important to see your primary care provider (PCP) as well as your OB-GYN. Your PCP can help you manage any long term conditions and connect you with any specialists you need. They can also tell you about any care you need.

Learn more about taking care of yourself after pregnancy here.

It’s normal to feel sad, restless or moody in those first days after your baby is born. This is often called the baby blues. And it usually goes away on its own.

But if you’re feeling anxious or depressed for longer than two weeks, having scary thoughts or feeling like you’re unable to care for your baby, you may have postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is common. But unlike the baby blues, you may need treatment to feel better.

Tell your doctor what you’re feeling. Try to be as honest as possible. And don’t forget to lean on your care team for support. We can help answer your questions, set up your doctor visits and connect you with a mental health specialist, if needed.

You can also get free help 24/7 from the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. Just call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS to talk with a counselor in English or Spanish. And remember, your call is private.

Check out these resources to help you make healthy choices for you and your baby.

Keeping you and your baby safe

Street drugs, alcohol, tobacco and some prescription drugs including painkillers can harm you and your child. If you need help for substance misuse, see your doctor right away. Approved drugs can help treat an opioid (painkiller) use disorder. Use our Find Care tool to find a Medication Assisted Treatment specialist in your network. Choose “Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)" in the Browse by Category dropdown.

Stop tobacco use

Our maternity program can help you quit smoking and using other tobacco products. It s free support that s just right for you. Sign up for the program now with our free CareTN app. Or learn more about quitting tobacco.

Medications after pregnancy

Did you have any medications you had to stop taking because of pregnancy? Not sure when you can start taking them again? Here are three ways to find out more information:

• Ask your doctor. Make sure they know if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
• Call the Infant Risk Center at 1-806-352-2519 with your questions
• Download the MommyMeds app on your smartphone. It has info on breastfeeding safety for more than 1,500 drugs.

Stay healthy and protected

There are three vaccines recommended during your pregnancy: Tdap, RSV and the flu shot. These vaccines help protect you and your baby. And you can usually get them at a prenatal visit. Ask your doctor about these and any other vaccines you may need.

It’s also important to talk to your doctor about sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some STIs can cause health problems for you and your baby. Talk to your doctor about getting screened even if you don’t have any symptoms. Learn more here.

Help with other needs

We can connect you with other resources you need, like baby supplies, food, transportation and housing. Use the Tennessee Community Compass tool here to help you find support close to home. Or call us Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET at 1-800-468-9698, TRS: 711 (Ask for 888-418-0008), to learn more.